Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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UPDATED: APRIL 1, 2020 @ 8:04 P.M. North Central District Health Department, in communication with state officials, have signed the NCDHD counties, including Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce and Rock, into the Directed Health Measures, effective April 1, at 10 p.m., through May 11, unless the order is extended. Please read the Directed Health Measures in full carefully, they can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services website at htt...
The first deaths in Nebraska, related to COVID-19, were reported Friday. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, a 50-year-old man from Douglas County, with underlying health concerns, is believed to be the first Nebraskan to die from COVID-19. The man, who had been in self-isolation at home since March 11, had contact with a known COVID-19 case out of state. Dr. Adi Pour, director of the Douglas County Health Department, expressed sympathy to the family and said,...
Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed news that the Small Business Administration has issued a statewide economic injury declaration for Nebraska. The declaration qualifies small businesses throughout the state to apply for SBA disaster assistance loans. “As Nebraska steps up its efforts to combat coronavirus, we’ve limited the size of public gatherings and asked people to stay home when possible,” said Ricketts. “These temporary measures are vitally important to public health, but they present challenges for the day-to-day operations of many sm...
Don't panic. That's the message Ewing Principal Greg Appleby wants parents and students to follow as the school transitions into a continuity of learning plan. The plan went into effect Wednesday, April 1. Students picked up assignments and textbooks on Monday. "I feel good about what our teachers have planned," Appleby said. Students have been out of the building since March 17. Enrichment activities were distributed then, with work set to wrap up March 30. Appleby said those activities came...
It's the end of the school year as we know it. Unlike the comeback line of R.E.M.'s 1987 pop hit, not everyone feels fine about the decision, which was announced Monday afternoon. Ewing Public, Nebraska Unified District #1 and other schools in the Educational Service Unit 8 area reported they were following recommendations from local health officials, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Dr. Matt Blomstedt, commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education, to keep school buildings shuttered...
The first deaths in Nebraska, related to COVID-19, were reported Friday. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, a 50-year-old man from Douglas County, with underlying health concerns, is believed to be the first Nebraskan to die from COVID-19. The man, who had been in self-isolation at home since March 11, had contact with a known COVID-19 case out of state. Dr. Adi Pour, director of the Douglas County Health Department, expressed sympathy to the family and said,...
Governor Pete Ricketts announced he is requesting $58.6 million of emergency funding from the Nebraska Legislature to support the state’s efforts to combat coronavirus 2019 disease. Dr. Gary Anthone, the state’s chief medical officer, joined the governor for Friday’s press conference. He overviewed the state’s procedures to test patients for COVID-19 and trace contacts of anyone testing positive for the disease. He also talked about how the state and the medical community are expanding capacity to perform tests. Ricketts was also joined...
Bill Thiele, Clearwater, has been appointed to the Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board. The appointment was announced March 18 by Governor Pete Ricketts. Thiele joins Kent Pulfer and Douglas Temme, of Wayne. Appointees are unpaid and are not subject to Legislative confirmation....
The need for blood donations is always present. According to Governor Pete Ricketts, approximately 4,000 blood drives across the country have been canceled since the COVID-19 pandemic began. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued a call to action Monday afternoon, requesting healthy and able individuals donate blood. "If you want to contribute, please visit aabb.org/giveblood and make an appointment in advance. This will help manage the influx of incoming donors and ensure social distancing me...
Governor Pete Ricketts issued a new executive order, March 26, allowing restaurants and bars to provide mixed drinks with lids for takeout. "Our restaurants and bars have been some of the hardest hit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Gov. Ricketts. "I've signed an executive order to help them by allowing takeout for pre-made cocktails and other alcoholic beverages as long as they are sealed with a lid." A copy of the executive order is included....
Organizations and institutions across Nebraska are taking precautionary measures amidst concerns about COVID-19. While no cases have been reported in Antelope, Holt or Wheeler counties, the North Central District Health Department has identified a presumptive positive case in Knox County. NCDHD received notification a Cherry County individual tested negative for the disease. Here is a list of cancellations, as of Friday, March 13: Fish fries On Thursday, the Archdiocese of Omaha requested its...
As Nebraska continues to take proactive steps to address COVID-19, Governor Pete Ricketts has signed an emergency declaration, so regulatory provisions of state law can be suspended to aid the state’s response. This has also allowed him to issue an Executive Order waiving certain hauling requirements for truckers delivering food and supplies, such as food products to grocery stores. “I am declaring a State of Emergency in Nebraska as we continue to work to be the best prepared state in the nation for COVID-19,” said Governor Ricketts. “All...
Holt County citizens filled the county supervisors’ meeting room in the courthouse last Friday morning as the county leaders took care of business. Bryan Steskal of Steskal read a letter penned by his wife, Diana Steskal, who was unable to attend the meeting. In the letter, Steskal wrote the Holt County zoning board members denied TransCanada’s conditional use permit until two conditions are met, including one that requires obtaining easements. Many, she said will most likely be appealed. She also cited three federal court cases filed aga...
The O'Neill Volunteer Fire Department, its chief and two community members were recognized by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts last week for service performed during the March 2019 floods. Ricketts made a stop in Holt County on Friday to present fire chief Terry Miles and members of the fire department with a flood hero proclamation. The award commemorates the department's rescue of a rural resident who was stranded in his home by the flood waters, as well as the volunteers' efforts in helping...
On Jan. 23, Governor Pete Ricketts announced recent appointments he has made to fill Nebraska’s boards and commissions. Donald L. Linquist, Jr., of Page, was appointed to the Geographic Information System Council. He joines Bailey D. Gibson, Grand Island, and Matthew R. Tinkham, Fort Calhoun. Appointees are unpaid and are not subject to Legislative confirmation....
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION The mystery of the unidentified flying drones deepened Monday as new sightings moved eastward into central Nebraska and puzzled law enforcement officials gathered in northeast Colorado. Even callers to Gov. Pete Ricketts' monthly radio show were seeking answers. "We're being inundated with these drones. They're starting to be a real annoyance," said one caller, Gene from Palisade, a southwest Nebraska community west of McCook. The governor had no information to give but...
